2013 can boldly claim the crown of the most bizarre year in gaming history. 1UP was shuttered, LucasArts is no more, THQ went bye bye, and there’s a seemingly weekly controversy involving gender inequality, or questionable journalistic integrity. Still, there are plenty of positives, too! Namely, the handful of new players leaping into the unsteady waters that is video game hardware.
The PlayStation 4 and upcoming Xbox 360 successor are grabbing headlines and keeping the rumor mill churning, but the OUYA, Razor Edge, and Nvidia Shield look to snag a portion of the industry’s multi-billion dollar industry. These, however, aren’t your typical video game devices that require you to connect to a big screen and plop in a game. This trio represents new takes on gaming — takes that are unlike any others currently on the market.
One never knows how any piece of gaming hardware will pan out — who would’ve thought that the Wii would fly as high as it did? — but we can certainly speculate.
BOSTON — PC gaming is receiving a copious amount of love at PAX East 2013. Dozen of PC accessory manufacturers are at the Boston Convention Center showcasing their wares, but Rosewill impressed with an ear-jarring gaming headset and a keyboard designed to satisfy a wider user base.
The $49.99 Rosewill RHTS-8206 5.1 channel vibration headset might sound gimmicky, but these cans pack a serious punch with 8 precision speakers and virtual 7.1 digital surround sound. Surprisingly, the vibration doesn’t detract from the gaming experience; in fact, it adds oomph to the on-screen explosions. It sports an adjustable strap and features a small control panel for various features.
Gaming, like other mediums, has the ability to trigger emotional responses. Gone are barely discernible 8-bit hyper-pixelated characters and paper-thin stories. We live during a time in which developers and writers create games in harmony, fulfilling their creative visions, and crafting wonderful stories within an interactive medium. That’s not to say they haven’t before: Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VII, and many others [...]
There are very misleading misconceptions among gamers that have kept many from venturing into the amazing and liberating world of PC gaming. I’ve heard them all, from the very common “it’s too expensive,” to the more understandable “it’s complicated to start.” Well, we’re here to dispel the misleading and guide you in building a very reliable and inexpensive gaming PC.
Hopefully, you’ve become familiar with our PC terminologies. If not, I suggest that you do so. Don’t let the terminology discourage you; anyone can build a PC that caters to their needs. It simply takes time and dedication.
Ready to dive into PC gaming, but don’t know where to start? No worries, I’ve been in that seat before. If you have little to no computer experience, PC gaming can appear quite the daunting task.
There are dozens of misconceptions that keep many from experiencing PC gaming. The most common complaints are that it’s brutally expensive to build a machine that can play current generation games (which is easily disputable!), and playing games with a mouse and keyboard detracts from immersion (gamepads are supported by many games!). Another misconception, perhaps the worst of the bunch, is that you have to be technologically savvy in order to even think about building a gaming PC. Well that’s where 2D-X steps in and offers you this detailed guide to get you started.
he Skullcandy brand, historically, is one associated with attractive, lifestyle-centric headphones that deliver serviceable, if unspectacular, audio. The company aims to change that perception with the $79.95 Skullcandy Slyr, an affordably-priced PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 gaming headset that looks to make a splash in the sub-$100 space. Featuring a slick, youthful design, surprisingly good audio, and multiple connectivity options, Slyer is a gaming headset that will change your perception of Skullcandy cans.
Before we begin in earnest, I have two confessions to make. First: This was not the original format of this series. The original plan was to do a quick overview of the best cell phones on the market and a quicker overview of the games available, and answer the question: “Is 2013 the year when smartphones grow up as a viable gaming platform for hardcore gamers?”
It’s amazing how feature-packed and luxurious gaming headsets have become.
Not to date myself, but in the early morning years of my youth, a gaming headset was something that only PC gamers used, and unless they were “ballin,” it wasn’t much more than a cheap pair of headphones with a microphone attached. Time and technology, however, have dramatically changed the gaming headset landscape. Not only have features and designs improved, but prices have soared to almost ludicrous heights.
LAS VEGAS – Turtle Beach unveiled a slew of new gaming headsets, and related accessories, designed to deliver audio bliss to gamers of all types. The gaming headsets — representing both refreshed and new model lines — are quite impressive.
My favorite is the PX51s ($269.99)/XP510s ($289.99). The difference these two wireless headsets is that the PX51s is designed for PS3 gamers, while the XP510s is designed for the Xbox 360 crowd (and comes with the Bluetooth dongle that plugs into the bottom of the 360 controller for wireless chat) .
The Digital Experience is an electronic showcase organized by Pepcom twice a year, with the larger of the two showings presented during the Consumer Electronics Show – CES – in January. Dozens of companies show off the latest and greatest in tech and gadgetry. Nearly two hundred companies exhibited during the Digital Experience this year. The following is a list of a few gaming-related gadgets that caught my eye during the show.
